Barrington lowers the boom on Saint Viator
Fillies rampant attack helps brush Lions aside in tourney opener
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Mike Taylor has built a solid side at Saint Viator this spring.
The Lions manager has a first-rate backline, complete with an impressive freshman keeper. There's depth, and technical strength all throughout the rest of the lineup, and roster, mixed with plenty of youth and experience to compete for East Suburban Catholic Conference silverware and beyond.
But on a night when perhaps the two best finishers in the land where playing at Barrington Community Stadium for two high profile clubs, the one glaring need of the Lions was never clearer when Taylors' club faced Barrington.
The Fillies Jenna Szczesny continued her sensational final season at Barrington, scoring twice, while helping on another to fuel an impressive 5-1 victory in a Naperville Invitational opener for both clubs, which begins as part of the Mairin Wallner Memorial Tournament, named after the Fillies former player who was killed in an auto accident in 1997 less than a mile from the high school.
"We've got a great group of young players with a lot of talent, who are beginning to come together, both on and off the field, and it's the job of seniors like myself to remind all of them (of) who Mairin was, and what type of person she was, and how important it is for all of us to continue her legacy here," began Megan Fox.
"It's all more than soccer, and that's why we play this tournament for Mairin."
Fox and her teammates impressed all of those on hand Thursday night, particularly Taylor, who hasn't had much luck against Barrington at this tournament of late.
"(Barrington) is quick and fast, and with each player they bring on, there's the same speed and quickness that just came off. They have great depth, and their work rate and reaction is so much faster than anyone we've seen thus far - and tonight, they deserved to win," said Taylor.
"We've got a very good backline, but if there's one player that I can have from any other team we've seen - it's Szczesny.
"She has the power, speed, and drive to score (and) she does - and to me, that's what sets them apart from all others right now."
Taylor's vaunted back four of Kayne Stanley, Brinley McVeigh, Maureen McGrath and Emma Henry, with Maggie Leazer stationed just in front of her mates, did well to keep the Fillies attack at bay during the first 20 minutes, despite a lively start from the home side, which signaled trouble on the horizon for the Lions.
Szczesny roared up the left side before having her attempt at the near post hauled in by keeper Anna Johnston in the 6th minute, which was followed by a nice exchange by Sophia Spinell and Kayla Schutter to put Szczesny in on Johnston. A well-timed tackle from McGrath likely saved a sure goal from the all-state senior.
Barrington's breakthrough was not long delayed, however. After the ball was kept alive from the left, Szczesny flashed a perfect helper to Spinell who delivered at the back post to make it 1-0 in the 20th minute.
The home side pressed forward to increase the damage, with Kelsey Muniz, and Schutter running hard up top from touchline to touchline to help keep the Lions under pressure until the break.
Johnston, who turned in a marvelous 80-minutes of play between the sticks, was busy all throughout the match, and while conceding five goals, could hardly be blamed for nary a one as a rampant Fillies attack proved relentless and unforgiving.
"It was maybe one of our best halves of attacking soccer we've played thus far," suggested Barrington manager, Ryan Stengren, who club is still without its top playmaker, Ann Marie Niro, who is slowly getting near to being match fit after a lengthy illness.
Johnston saved Schutter's snap shot at 34 minutes, then came off her line with no hesitation to collect Haley Tausend's dangerous ball over the top. Later she drifted close to the top of the box for a slide tackle and cleared more potential trouble away from an onrushing Szczesny.
"Anna plays with a lot of confidence for a freshman, we're lucky to have her with us this season," offered Leazer, an all-ESCC selection last year in her first full year with the big club.
With intermission looming, Szczesny found the target. She escaped her mark before touching away from Johnston and steering in her close range shot in the 39th minute.
"I didn't agree with the foul called on us that kept the ball in our end. But you have to admire how a team like Barrington will punish you when they get an opportunity to do so - and they did just that at a very bad time for us," admitted Taylor.
Henry got close with her freekick just after the break as the Lions opened the second period on their front foot. But their dream of taking a bite out of the Fillies two-goal advantage early would vanish soon thereafter.
Johnston was called to action to save against Szczesny, then Fox and her wonderfully struck side volley.
The ensuing corner swung in from Anna Brodejian led to an apparent goal from Tausend; but it was correctly ruled offside in the 50th minute.
Szczesny's 20th goal of the season was sheer brilliance after Schutter split the Lions back line wide open with her well-paced through ball. Once in on Johnston - Szczesny dragged the ball over - all at full speed - to get herself the time and space to finish with a neat little touch to make it 3-0 just before the hour.
"We made a lot of mistakes in our own end tonight, and they made us pay for each and everyone of them, and hopefully we learned from all of them," Leazer said.
Stengren began to take several of his first 11 off following the Fillies latest goal, including keeper Hannah Luedtke, who was replaced by heir apparent, freshman Samantha Schmitz in the 66th minute.
Fillies reserve Ana Lageschulte added to the lead in the 74th minute with some help from Lauren Balunda. Fox put an exclamation point on the Fillies victory in the 78th minute.
Saint Viator's Lauren Kohn would converted from the spot just 30 seconds from time to get the Lions (8-2-0) on the scoreboard.
"We showed we can play with teams such as Barrington, especially when we possess, and connect like we can," said Taylor. "But we need to learn to finish the way they do. In order to become a complete team as we go forward (and) we'll continue to search for the player who can come out and create all sorts of trouble in the other end, and put the ball into the back of the net."
With a win over Evanston on Saturday in pool play action, the Fillies (10-0-3) next opponent will more than likely be defending state champion New Trier (12-0-0) and its magnificent striker, Kelly Maday, in the Wallner final here next Thursday.
"It would be one of those games were we'll be able to see where we are at - that's for sure," said Stengren, of the possible rematch with the Trevians, who eliminated his club last season in an epic 1-0 supersectional final.
"New Trier is a great team, with a great player in Maday, and plenty of speed and depth, so if it happens, it should be a good one."
Starting Lineups
Saint Viator
GK- Anna Johnston
D- Maureen McGrath
D- Kayne Stanley
D- Brinley McVeigh
D- Emma Henry
DMF- Maggie Leazer
MF- Susie Moynihan
MF- Molly Murphy
MF- Lauren Kohn
F- Michelle Trovato
F- Felicia Moncado
Barrington
GK- Hannah Luedtke
D- Jackie Batliner
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Lauren Pircher
MF- Sophia Spinell
MF- Megan Fox
MF- Anna Brodejian
MF- Kelsey Muniz
MF- Kayla Schutter
F- Jenna Szczesny
Officials: Mohammed Mustaq (center); Bob Crumrine; Doug Waddelow
MVP of the Match
Megan Fox, F, Barrington
Anna Johnston, GK, Saint Viator
Fillies rampant attack helps brush Lions aside in tourney opener
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Mike Taylor has built a solid side at Saint Viator this spring.
The Lions manager has a first-rate backline, complete with an impressive freshman keeper. There's depth, and technical strength all throughout the rest of the lineup, and roster, mixed with plenty of youth and experience to compete for East Suburban Catholic Conference silverware and beyond.
But on a night when perhaps the two best finishers in the land where playing at Barrington Community Stadium for two high profile clubs, the one glaring need of the Lions was never clearer when Taylors' club faced Barrington.
The Fillies Jenna Szczesny continued her sensational final season at Barrington, scoring twice, while helping on another to fuel an impressive 5-1 victory in a Naperville Invitational opener for both clubs, which begins as part of the Mairin Wallner Memorial Tournament, named after the Fillies former player who was killed in an auto accident in 1997 less than a mile from the high school.
"We've got a great group of young players with a lot of talent, who are beginning to come together, both on and off the field, and it's the job of seniors like myself to remind all of them (of) who Mairin was, and what type of person she was, and how important it is for all of us to continue her legacy here," began Megan Fox.
"It's all more than soccer, and that's why we play this tournament for Mairin."
Fox and her teammates impressed all of those on hand Thursday night, particularly Taylor, who hasn't had much luck against Barrington at this tournament of late.
"(Barrington) is quick and fast, and with each player they bring on, there's the same speed and quickness that just came off. They have great depth, and their work rate and reaction is so much faster than anyone we've seen thus far - and tonight, they deserved to win," said Taylor.
"We've got a very good backline, but if there's one player that I can have from any other team we've seen - it's Szczesny.
"She has the power, speed, and drive to score (and) she does - and to me, that's what sets them apart from all others right now."
Taylor's vaunted back four of Kayne Stanley, Brinley McVeigh, Maureen McGrath and Emma Henry, with Maggie Leazer stationed just in front of her mates, did well to keep the Fillies attack at bay during the first 20 minutes, despite a lively start from the home side, which signaled trouble on the horizon for the Lions.
Szczesny roared up the left side before having her attempt at the near post hauled in by keeper Anna Johnston in the 6th minute, which was followed by a nice exchange by Sophia Spinell and Kayla Schutter to put Szczesny in on Johnston. A well-timed tackle from McGrath likely saved a sure goal from the all-state senior.
Barrington's breakthrough was not long delayed, however. After the ball was kept alive from the left, Szczesny flashed a perfect helper to Spinell who delivered at the back post to make it 1-0 in the 20th minute.
The home side pressed forward to increase the damage, with Kelsey Muniz, and Schutter running hard up top from touchline to touchline to help keep the Lions under pressure until the break.
Johnston, who turned in a marvelous 80-minutes of play between the sticks, was busy all throughout the match, and while conceding five goals, could hardly be blamed for nary a one as a rampant Fillies attack proved relentless and unforgiving.
"It was maybe one of our best halves of attacking soccer we've played thus far," suggested Barrington manager, Ryan Stengren, who club is still without its top playmaker, Ann Marie Niro, who is slowly getting near to being match fit after a lengthy illness.
Johnston saved Schutter's snap shot at 34 minutes, then came off her line with no hesitation to collect Haley Tausend's dangerous ball over the top. Later she drifted close to the top of the box for a slide tackle and cleared more potential trouble away from an onrushing Szczesny.
"Anna plays with a lot of confidence for a freshman, we're lucky to have her with us this season," offered Leazer, an all-ESCC selection last year in her first full year with the big club.
With intermission looming, Szczesny found the target. She escaped her mark before touching away from Johnston and steering in her close range shot in the 39th minute.
"I didn't agree with the foul called on us that kept the ball in our end. But you have to admire how a team like Barrington will punish you when they get an opportunity to do so - and they did just that at a very bad time for us," admitted Taylor.
Henry got close with her freekick just after the break as the Lions opened the second period on their front foot. But their dream of taking a bite out of the Fillies two-goal advantage early would vanish soon thereafter.
Johnston was called to action to save against Szczesny, then Fox and her wonderfully struck side volley.
The ensuing corner swung in from Anna Brodejian led to an apparent goal from Tausend; but it was correctly ruled offside in the 50th minute.
Szczesny's 20th goal of the season was sheer brilliance after Schutter split the Lions back line wide open with her well-paced through ball. Once in on Johnston - Szczesny dragged the ball over - all at full speed - to get herself the time and space to finish with a neat little touch to make it 3-0 just before the hour.
"We made a lot of mistakes in our own end tonight, and they made us pay for each and everyone of them, and hopefully we learned from all of them," Leazer said.
Stengren began to take several of his first 11 off following the Fillies latest goal, including keeper Hannah Luedtke, who was replaced by heir apparent, freshman Samantha Schmitz in the 66th minute.
Fillies reserve Ana Lageschulte added to the lead in the 74th minute with some help from Lauren Balunda. Fox put an exclamation point on the Fillies victory in the 78th minute.
Saint Viator's Lauren Kohn would converted from the spot just 30 seconds from time to get the Lions (8-2-0) on the scoreboard.
"We showed we can play with teams such as Barrington, especially when we possess, and connect like we can," said Taylor. "But we need to learn to finish the way they do. In order to become a complete team as we go forward (and) we'll continue to search for the player who can come out and create all sorts of trouble in the other end, and put the ball into the back of the net."
With a win over Evanston on Saturday in pool play action, the Fillies (10-0-3) next opponent will more than likely be defending state champion New Trier (12-0-0) and its magnificent striker, Kelly Maday, in the Wallner final here next Thursday.
"It would be one of those games were we'll be able to see where we are at - that's for sure," said Stengren, of the possible rematch with the Trevians, who eliminated his club last season in an epic 1-0 supersectional final.
"New Trier is a great team, with a great player in Maday, and plenty of speed and depth, so if it happens, it should be a good one."
Starting Lineups
Saint Viator
GK- Anna Johnston
D- Maureen McGrath
D- Kayne Stanley
D- Brinley McVeigh
D- Emma Henry
DMF- Maggie Leazer
MF- Susie Moynihan
MF- Molly Murphy
MF- Lauren Kohn
F- Michelle Trovato
F- Felicia Moncado
Barrington
GK- Hannah Luedtke
D- Jackie Batliner
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Lauren Pircher
MF- Sophia Spinell
MF- Megan Fox
MF- Anna Brodejian
MF- Kelsey Muniz
MF- Kayla Schutter
F- Jenna Szczesny
Officials: Mohammed Mustaq (center); Bob Crumrine; Doug Waddelow
MVP of the Match
Megan Fox, F, Barrington
Anna Johnston, GK, Saint Viator